“The availability of the NRL players to join Bati during Pacific Championship was a challenge but we are grateful that some have confirmed their availability for the Rugby league world cup,” he said.

RLWC26 will be held from October 16 to November 15 between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

“Our sets were not completed and defence was poor. That cannot happen again if we are to compete for the top spot at the 2026 World Cup,” he said.

“The review will take a bit of time but the board will have the final say,” he added. 

“It’s an honour to be selected. Many students here they want to play but coach picked us so I am fortunate,” Kafoa said. 

“That first game in Newcastle against the Cook Islands will be pretty mad. They have Val Holmes and Brendan Piakura and they looked in their World Cup qualifier against South Africa.